| Far from delivering a jolt of reality in talks aimed at chasing out ideas of romance and glamour fostered by the current fad for forensic detectives on TV, a fourth year forensic science degree student at Abertay University said today the force is not hiring her course graduates in the first place.
The situation was highlighted at a recent meeting of the Police Joint Board, when force recruitment manager Paul Cairnie said over 300 applications for the job of scenes-of-crime officer had been received.
He told the board the force has to give Abertay students talks to disabuse them of the image promoted by TV.
Student Kirsten Black said, “Yes, they come along and consult with the students but they are completely disinterested in forensic science graduates, preferring to offer these jobs to people with music degrees and such like, or, of course, giving the job to a beat bobby who fancies a change.
“When are they going to recognise that forensic graduates are out there and can save them between £7000 to £10,000 a year training expenses as we already have it?”
A Tayside Police spokesperson said, “For every post advertised we receive hundreds of applications and, unfortunately, there can only be a few successful candidates.
“One of our recent posts was filled by a University of Abertay forensic science graduate.
“We work very closely with the University of Abertay forensic science course, and every year for the last three years we have offered work placements for four students.
“These students are selected by the University of Abertay.
“Our staff are always keen to help develop the skills of the students on the course and we provide regular lecturers on the course, including the staging of a mock crime scene exercise.” |
